News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-03-31

He repeated to him the conversation
he had overheard on the play ground,
and informed him that he had resolved
to thenceforth lead a temperate lite.
| The merchant was much gratlt1ed,
and, as he had confidence in his refor-
nation, he straightway gave him posi-
ton of trust, with good wages, to en-
cou age him in his wise resolution
He even paid portion of his salary
in advance, to provide comforts for the
destitute, suffering family.
With the amount received Mr.. Wood
purchased good supply of provisions
! aud clothing for himself. wife, and chill
| dren He donned a new suit of cloth
ing, neat and substantial, and with q
loaded dray accompanying him he start
ed for his wretched abode.
His poor wife was sitting j. the miser
able apartment they occupied, buslly
engaged at her weary and almost cease
less labor, when her husband, sober, de-
cent, with the light of hope illuminat
ing his before stolid countenance, enter
ed the door,
Had an apparition suddenly appeared
before her she could scarcely have been
more surprised.
He informed her of the manner in
which their dear little Lizzie had been
treated, and of his determination to
lead a different life; henceforth provid-
ing for them the comforts of a home.
She was wei aware how the children of
Mr.. Brooks had ridiculed and insulted
their little ones, but thought it would
be of no use to inform her husband of
the fact. 1t would then probably have
made little or no impression upon his
mind, even when sober. He had to
witness little Lizzie's tears as she turned
away III sorrow, after hearing the insult
ing language addressed to his inocent,
helpless child.
Mrs Wood shed tears of Joy and
thankfulness: for she believed that her
husband would reform, if determined
to do so. They Tad heard that Mr..
Brooks had said in boastful manner,
that he had more strength of mind
than to b come a sot, as did Mr.. Wood,
because he had been robbed of his
money.
1t was easy for him to boast while he
was enjoying the comforts of luxurious
living. Mrs Wood thought that Mr..
Brooks Notwithstanding his boasted
strength of mindl might do no better
than her husband had done, if he were
placed in like position.
Mr. Wood could then fully realize and
deplore his folly and wickednesS, in
thus yielding as he had done to the
allurements of the tempting glass; for
he knew hat the wrong doing of his
former partner was no excuse for HIM.
He had cruelty neglected his fond,
patient wife and helpless children, for
what he knew would destroy his health
and ruin his intellect.
Little Lizzie as we as the other
children of the fami soon presented
neat and comfortab e appearance; Mr.
Woods employer soon increased his
salary, as he continued temperate and
industrious; so he had the satisfaction Of
sIstfn procuring for ttieul p Oaaaut
home 1t cost him much self denial to
abstain from intoxicating beverages,
md he was sometimes strongly tempted
70 again inbibe the ruinous draught
But the picture of his dest born as
she turned tearfully away from her mates
on the play ground, always arose before
his menta vision.
Then the same spirit of firm, resolute
determination as before possessed him,
would cause him to resist and turn away
from the haunts of vice and misery
Mr.. Brooks with his wealth erected
a magnificent, palatial mansion, into
which with his fami y he removed and
lived in S. .1lendor.
They however enjoyed it but few
years before it was set on fire by a care
less servant, and entirely consumed
with all it contained, the family barely
escaping with their lives.
All of his wealth had been spent In
fitting up the splendid residence, and
Mr.. Brooks was looking about to dis.
cover a way in which to replenish his
empty purse without the degradation CD
ofmanual labor.
The expense of building on so mag
nihcent a sea had far exceeded their
expectations.
Worse than all for him. he had by his
own negligence permitted his fire IN
surance on the property to run out the
week previous to the con1agration; so
what the fire destroyed proved a com
plete loss to him.
The beautiful, spacious ground, which
had surrounded the elegant mansion,
had been mortgaged for the means to
luxuriously furnish the costly dwelling.
After the fire as he could not even
pay the interest upon the amount, the
property was sold.
The aristocratic, arrogant family
were thus reduced to state of the most
abject poverty. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks
were crushed in spirit by the fearful
blow, and would not endeavor to help
themselves in the least.
Their friends erected a small house
for them, near where their fine resi-
dence had stood, and gave them some
necessary articles for housekeeping but
as they did not try to do anything for
themselves, or appear to appreciate
their favors, they were soon turned in
other directions.
The unfortunate couple soon began to
indulge in alcoholic drinks to drown their
sorrow, thus bringing much additional
distress upon themselves and children.
The house they occupied became COM
FORTRESS and desolate; for where the
mother rs well as the father is addicted
to the debasing habit of dram drinking,
there can be no comfort, or happiness
for the OF er inmates.
The poor tile children suffered many
priv ations when both father and mother
were stupidity intoxicated. The smaller
children of the family would frequently
plead with Fanny, their elder sister, for
bread to appease their hunger, but alas
the poor girl Otter had none to give
them.
One day in the mid winter they were
in an almost perishing condition from
the effects of cold and hunger. Their
nearest neighbors knew nothing of their
utter destItution, for Fanny had been
too proud to complain; but she could
hold out no longer She could not bear
to see her little brother and sisters suf-
fering, when she could take her old
basket and solicit food for them.
1t was hard thing for her to do, but
the pangs of hunger humbled her pride,
and she resolved to endeavor to procure
sufficient to relieve their distress at that
time.
She put en- her well worn shawl, and
old faded hood. AS she looked down at
her soiled, ragged dress, she thought of
the cruel words she had uttered when
she repulsed, and drove from her pre-
sence poor little Lizzie Wood, because she
was poorly clad, and her father was
drunkard.
She felt that Lizzie and herself had
positions, only that her lot was
by far the hardest, for Lizzie's mother
had worked almost increasingly, and
had managed to supply her children
with food until their fathers reform
alton. With Fanny it was different; for
her mother would be so overwhelemned
with shame and remnrcn as sOOn nc she